Medical garments

ABSTRACT

Garments for medical or assisted living use are disclosed. A garment embodiment includes a fabric body core element having a front side and a back side, two fabric arm elements, each attached at a proximal end to an upper area of the body core element on the left and right sides, two fabric dignity panels attached to sides of the body core element to extend partially across the back side of the core section so as to at least partially cover a user&#39;s back when worn, and a fabric lower pocket attached to the back side of the body core element at a lower section of the core element.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to clothing for medical use. More specifically, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to garments for use by patients undergoing medical treatment or for use by patients in home, in assisted living, or in other similar situations.

SUMMARY

In accordance one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to garments for medical or assisted living use. One medical garment embodiment includes a fabric body core element having a front side and a back side, two fabric arm elements, each attached at a proximal end to an upper area of the body core element on the left and right sides, two fabric dignity panels attached to sides of the body core element to extend partially across the back side of the core section so as to at least partially cover a user's back when worn, and a fabric lower pocket attached to the back side of the body core element at a lower section of the core element.

Various additional embodiments, elements, aspects, features, and functions are further described below in conjunction with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be more fully appreciated in connection with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of a medical garment worn by a user in a seated position in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates another user wearing a medical garment substantially the same as the embodiment of FIG. 1B in a standing, forward-facing position in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C illustrates the user wearing the medical garment embodiment of FIG. 1B in a standing position showing the back of the garment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D illustrates the user wearing the medical garment embodiment of FIG. 1B in a standing position showing the left side of the garment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1E illustrates the lower part of the medical garment embodiment of FIG. 1B as seen from the front side in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1F illustrates the lower part of the medical garment embodiment of FIG. 1E as seen from the back side in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1G illustrates the garment embodiment of FIG. 1B in a carry configuration with handles for storage or transport as a bag or purse in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 111 illustrates additional details of the garment embodiment shown in FIG. 1G in the carry configuration in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1I illustrates the ability to put on or remove medical garment embodiment 100 without raising the arms above the shoulders.

FIG. 1J illustrates folding medical garment embodiment for storage or carrying.

FIG. 1K illustrates an optional detachable accessory pocket for use with the garment embodiment of FIG. 1B in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 1L illustrates the accessory pocket of FIG. 1K attached to the garment embodiment of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A illustrates details of a front side view of a medical garment embodiment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrate details of a rear side or back view of the medical garment embodiment of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A illustrates details of an arm element and utility cuff in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates additional details of a utility cuff embodiment worn by a user in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded view of textile parts of the front side of an exemplary medical garment embodiment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exploded view of textile parts of the back or rear side of an exemplary medical garment embodiment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exploded view of additional details of textile parts on the front side of an exemplary medical garment embodiment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4D illustrates details of textile parts of an exemplary dignity flap of a medical garment embodiment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4E & 4F illustrate details of exemplary pockets of an exemplary medical garment embodiment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4G illustrates details of the shape of an exemplary kangaroo pocket of a medical garment embodiment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 411 illustrates details of the shape of an exemplary arm element and cuff of a medical garment embodiment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following exemplary embodiments are provided for the purpose of illustrating examples of various aspects, details, and functions of apparatus, methods, and systems for locating buried or hidden objects; however, the described embodiments are not intended to be in any way limiting. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various aspects, details, elements, and functions may be implemented in other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is noted that as used herein, the term, “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect, detail, function, implementation, and/or embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects and/or embodiments.

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of the front side of a medical garment 100 (also denoted herein as a “garment” for brevity) in accordance with aspects of the present invention shown as would typically be worn by a user 105. Various fabrics and textiles may be used in different embodiments for the various medical garment elements as described subsequently herein. For example, in one embodiment all or part of the garment may be made from fleece or other soft “fuzzy” synthetic or natural fiber textiles. Other embodiments may use other synthetic materials with smooth finishes such as vinyl, synthetic satins, viscose, acetate, rubber materials, or other synthetic materials. Yet other embodiments may use natural fibers such as cotton, leather, or fur or composite fibers such as polycotton. In some embodiments fibers and associated textiles may be selected for particular medical/safety applications, such as, for example, germ resistant fibers, easily cleanable and/or disinfectable fibers, and the like made into corresponding textiles.

While the user 105 is shown sitting in a chair in FIG. 1A, garment 100 is typically sized to allow a user to walk freely in the garment while standing as shown in subsequent figures so that the lower end of garment 100 and associated lower pocket 150 does not drag on the floor or otherwise interfere with upright user movement.

As further shown in FIG. 1A, garment 100 may include a body core element 110 (also denoted herein a “core element” or “core” for brevity), which may generally comprise fabric shaped in conformance to and sized so as to loosely fit over a human body's mid-section and all or part of the legs. Garment 100 may include sleeved arm element such as arm element 120. Arm elements 120 may be sewed or otherwise attached to the body core to allow insertion of one or both arms of a user. In some embodiments the arm elements may be detachable such as through use of zippers, snaps, Velcro, buttons, or other removably-detachable mechanisms. Snaps are referred to subsequently herein for various attachment purposes, and as used herein, the term snaps refers to attachment hardware in male and female pairs that can be pushed together to close and pulled apart to open, commonly known in the industry as press studs (as well as snap fasteners, poppers, tichs, etc.). As also noted, the snaps described subsequently herein may be replaced and/or enhanced through use of other attachment mechanisms such as buttons, zippers, Velcro strips, and the like.

A typical garment embodiment 100 includes a left arm element 120 and a right arm element 120 as shown in FIG. 1, which may be of the same shape and size configuration but mirror-imaged about the body. In some embodiments only a single arm element may be used, and/or the arm element(s) may be different in size, shape, material, or other configuration.

Various additional elements may optionally be included in various embodiments of a medical garment in accordance with the present invention. For example, the garment may include one or more pocket elements, such as the breast pocket 130 as shown in FIG. 1A attached on the upper right side of the body core 110. Additional pockets may include a midsection “kangaroo” pocket 140, a lower pocket 150, and/or arm or sleeve pockets as well as other pockets (not specifically shown in FIG. A1).

Lower pocket 150 is shown in a forward-opening orientation in FIGS. 1A and 1 s shown in a rearward-opening orientation in FIG. 2. The lower pocket may be sewed or otherwise attached to the core element 110 on either the front side of the garment or the rear side. On either side, the lower pocket 150 may be placed so that it can be opened on either side of the garment. The lower pocket 150 may be fixed to the core element 110 such as by being sewed on, or, in some embodiments, may be zippered on, snapped on attached with Velcro or other attachment mechanisms, or may be omitted in various embodiments.

The term “kangaroo pocket” as used herein refers to a pocket that is located approximately at a body's midsection and is typically sized and shaped to allow a user to readily place hands therein (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1A) and/or for storage of objects, medical devices, and the like. Kangaroo pockets may alternately or in addition have openings on the top, bottom, front, and/or in various combinations of these.

The pockets as shown in FIG. 1A may optionally include trim around the edges comprising the same or different materials than the core element 110, such as trim 135 and 155 as shown on the pockets 130 and 150 of FIG. 1A, and may optionally include zippers, buttons, snaps, Velcro bands, and/or other attachment mechanisms (not shown) to close the pockets to secure objects placed therein. The pockets may include threading and/or interior fabric or other materials for separation into two or more pocket sections in some embodiments. Some garment embodiments may include additional pockets (not shown in FIG. 1A) on the back side and/or on the arm elements.

Garment 100 may include one or more “dignity flaps” 115 as shown in FIG. 1A as well as in successive figures from different angles of view. For example, FIG. 1C shows the dignity flaps 115 on the back side of a user when in a standing position. The dignity flaps provide additional fabric material or sections on the back of the garment that can be tucked under a user when seated to cover a user's legs and/or midsection and define an opening 114 as shown in FIG. 1C to allow access to a user's back and/or for comfort and/or for cooling.

Garment 100 may include a collar 180, which may be of the same or different fabrics as the rest of garment 100 and may be sized and shaped in various configurations for a particular application. For example, the collar 180 may be sized to be loose around a user's neck in some applications, or alternately may be sized and shaped to be tightly fitting around all or part of a user's neck in other applications.

As noted above, the size of the collar may vary depending on the application. For example, in some embodiments the collar may be short as attached to core 110 as shown in FIG. 1 and loosely fitting, whereas in other embodiments (not shown) the collar may be taller to fit around all or part of the neck of a user. Some collars configured to fit around some or all of a user's neck may be made from a fully or partially rigid material to support a user's neck and/or maintain a user's neck and/or head in a particular position via a snug fit (not shown). Some collars may be made from a rigid or semi-rigid material, while other collars may be made of a flexible material.

Other embodiments may include a hood (not shown in FIG. 1A but described subsequently herein in conjunction with FIGS. 2A and 2B) either fixed to the body core element or detachably removable, such as with zippers, snaps, buttons, Velcro straps, and the like.

FIG. 1B illustrates medical garment embodiment 100 on a different user 107 who is standing upright in a forward-facing position. Garment 100 may include one or more snaps, buttons or other attachment mechanisms, such as snaps 153 shown in FIG. 1B, as well as FIGS. 1C and 1F, to allow a user to shorten the lower part of the garment, to attach accessories, or to secure the garment when folded. Another example attachment mechanism is snap 117 as shown in FIG. 1B, which may in other embodiments be a button, Velcro strip, zipper, or other attachment mechanism. Snaps 117 may be used for attaching an accessory item such as the auxiliary pocket/bid attachment 170 as shown in FIGS. 1K and 1L and described subsequently herein. Attachment 170 may be coupled to snaps 117 of garment 100 by use of snaps 171 as shown in FIGS. 1K and 1L.

FIG. 1C illustrates the medical garment 100 on user 107 while oriented in a rearward-facing position, showing details of the back side of garment 100 including upper attachment flaps 112, upper attachment snaps 113, dignity flaps 115, an open area 114 formed by the shape of the dignity panels 115 to allow access to a user's back for medical access and/or cooling and/or comfort while seated. As shown in FIG. 1C, the lower pocket 150 typically has an opening on the back side, however, the opening can be readily folded around to open on the front side as shown in FIG. 1A if desired.

Dignity flaps 115 are shaped to provide additional fabric at their lower section and define the open area 114 in their upper portion, thereby allowing a user's back to be open and accessible for treatment, cooling, and/or for comfort reasons. Upper attachment flaps 112 are typically part of the dignity flap 115 fabric and are shaped to be closed together by coupling opposite sides together, allowing garment embodiment 100 to be secured around the user's upper back around the shoulder area below the neck.

Left and right side upper attachment flaps 112 may be coupled together by various attachment mechanisms such as snaps 113 (as shown in additional detail in FIG. 2B), buttons, zippers, Velcro strips, or other attachment mechanisms. On some embodiments the body core 110 and dignity panels may be formed or cut from a single piece of fabric to provide an integral core and dignity flaps fabric element, however, in typical embodiments core 110 and dignity flaps 115 are separate elements that are sewn, glued, or otherwise attached together during assembly.

In alternate embodiments, the size and shape of the open area 114 may vary, and in some embodiment may be omitted, with attachment of fabric on the left and right sides of the body core element 110 being either open or attachable with a zipper, buttons, Velcro, snaps, or other attachment mechanisms (not shown in FIG. 1B). Some embodiments may include additional attachment mechanisms (not shown in FIG. 1B) to allow the medical garment to be secured at the back side mid-section or lower section via buttons, snaps, zippers, or other attachment mechanisms.

FIG. 1D illustrates the medical garment 100 on the user shown in FIG. 1B oriented to show the garment on the user's left side. The right side view of the garment is typically essentially a mirror image except with respect to different arm element configurations and/or pocket configurations that are asymmetric about the front or rear sides.

FIG. 1E illustrates the lower part of garment 100 as seen on the front side. The garment may include elongate strap elements 160 having proximal and distal ends, with the proximal end attached to the body core element 110 and/or lower pocket 150. Strap elements 160 may include snaps 161, buttons, Velcro strips, zippers, or other attachment mechanisms. Body core element 110 and/or lower pocket 150 may also include corresponding snaps 153, buttons, Velcro strips, zippers, or other attachment mechanisms. These snaps or other attachment mechanisms may be removably coupled to stow the medical garment in a purse/handbag configuration for carrying or storage, such as is described subsequently herein with respect to FIGS. 1G and 1H.

The snaps or other attachment mechanisms may also be used to shorten the length of the garment by, for example, attaching snaps 153 and 165 together on each side (not shown) to reduce the area adjacent the lower legs. The snaps or other attachment mechanisms may also be arranged in some embodiments to secure back panels of the medical garment together and/or for other attachment applications, such as for attachment of additional storage pockets or other apparatus. For example, FIG. 1K illustrates an optional snap on pocket/bid accessory assembly 170 with snaps to removably couple the pocket/bid accessory to the garment 100. Accessory 170 may include one or more pockets, such as pockets 172 and 174 as shown. Accessory 170 may include other elements as described herein such as, for example, one or more ports (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1K, accessory 170 may include snaps 171 (and/or other attachment mechanisms such as zippers, buttons, Velcro strips, and the like) to allow removable attachment of the pocket/bib assembly to a garment such as garment 100. FIG. 1L illustrates accessory 170 attached to garment 100 via snaps 171 on the accessory 170 coupled to snaps 117 on garment 100. Accessories such as pocket/bid 170 may also be attached via other attachment mechanisms and/or on other places on a medical garment in alternate embodiments.

It is noted that the kangaroo pockets 140 have openings on both sides as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B (as well as in other figures or embodiments shown herein), however, in some embodiments the kangaroo pockets may have different and/or additional openings, such as on the top, bottom, front, on one side only, and/or in other combinations. In some embodiments the kangaroo pockets may be divided, such as in the middle, by stitching, additional fabric, or other materials or compartments to provide two or more separate storage sections on or in the pockets for hands, user objects, medical devices, and the like.

FIG. 1I illustrates how medical garment embodiment may aid a disabled user to put on or take off the garment without the need to raise the arms above the shoulders. As shown in FIG. 1C, garment embodiment 100 may be readily secured or removed on the back side by connecting or removing snaps 113 to allow easy removal without the need for a user to lift the arms above the shoulders.

FIG. 1J illustrates stowing garment embodiment 100. In the left image garment 100 is folded or rolled together such that the upper part of the body core and attached arms are placed inside the lower pocket 150. As shown in the right image the straps are attached together with snaps (or other attachment mechanisms) such as snaps 161 and 165 as shown in FIG. 1H. In this configuration garment embodiment 100 may then be stored in a compact configuration, carried like a purse or bag, attached to the back of a wheelchair (as shown in FIG. 1J), or otherwise compacted.

FIG. 2A illustrates additional details of an embodiment of a medical garment 200 as seen from the front side. Medical garment 200 may generally be similar to garment embodiment 100. It is noted that details of the embodiments of garment 200 as shown in FIG. 2A and may also be included in additional embodiments in combination with details shown in the other embodiments disclosed previously or subsequently herein.

As with garment embodiment 100, garment embodiment 200 may include a body core element 210 with two arm elements 220 attached thereto at the arm elements' proximal end. The arm elements 220 may but need not be identical or symmetric, and each arm element may include alternate and/or additional features relative to the other arm element. The arm elements 220 may be the same as or similar to arm elements 120. In exemplary embodiments, the arm elements 220 may include cuffs 226 attached to a distal end of the arm elements 220. In some embodiments the cuffs 226 may be “comfort” cuffs as illustrated in further detail in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B as described subsequently herein, and may comprise an elastic or other stretchable material. Alternately embodiments may use soft cuff material, loose fitting cuffs, vinyl or other plastic cuffs, other cuff configurations, or no cuffs.

Arm elements 220 may also include one or more ports or openings 222 to allow wires, tubing, or other medical or comfort apparatus to pass through the garment from the exterior for use in patient treatment. For example, one or more an intravenous (IV) tubes, EKG wires, sensors, or other apparatus may be passed through the openings 222 to simplify treatment or diagnosis of a patient while the patient is wearing the medical garment. This may be used in treatments such as IV infusion, chemotherapy or immunotherapy infusion, hemodialysis, blood draws, or other treatment or therapy. The ports may be sealable such as by Velcro strips, snaps, zippers, buttons, or other attachment mechanisms. In an exemplary embodiment ports 222 (and/or other ports on a medical garment) may include a zipper to allow a user or medical or assistance personnel to feed wiring, tubes, or other apparatus through the port when opened and then partially seal the port by partially closing the zipper, or fully closing the port via the zipper when the apparatus is removed.

Other types of wires, such as headphone wires, may be passed through the ports 222 to allow wiring to be internal to the garment to reduce external apparatus on the user. The openings 222 may be simple holes or penetrations of various shapes in some embodiments, whereas in other embodiments they may be sealable as noted above using a zipper and/or, with Velcro, buttons, snaps, or other attachment mechanisms to fully or partially close the openings as desired.

In addition to and/or in place of arm ports 222, garment embodiment 200 may include other ports or openings, including, for example, a mid-section port 214 as shown in FIG. 2A for providing access to a user's midsection for medical, therapy, or comfort-related uses such as running tubing or wiring through the port 214. Mid-section port 214 is located in an area of the garment fabric adjacent a user's midsection area. Other ports may also be included, such as a port in the lower pocket 250 area (not shown), ports on the sides or back (not shown), or in other garment locations depending on the medical or therapeutic application such as in optional hood 290 as shown in FIG. 2B.

Garment embodiment 200 may include one or more breast or upper chest area pockets 220, which may be similar to pocket 120 as shown in FIG. 1. These pockets may be used by a patient to store objects such as pens, glasses, medical bottles, or other objects or devices and, if included, may be placed on one or both sides and/or in other positions on the garment in alternate embodiments. It is noted that the pockets shown in the various embodiments are shown in particular exemplary shapes and sizes; however, other pockets having different shapes and/or sizes and/or openings may be included in various alternate embodiments.

Garment embodiment 200 may include a pair of elongate strap elements, 260 having proximal and distal ends, with the proximal end attached to the body core element 210. The straps may made of a non-stretchable material such as polyester, nylon, other plastics, and the like. In some embodiments the strap elements may be made of fabrics such as used in the body core element or other elements, or the elongate elements may comprise elastic, polymer materials, fabric strapping materials, or other rigid or semi-rigid materials allowing the strap elements to be used as, for example, handles for carrying the medical garment when folded into a stowed orientation such as shown in FIGS. 1G and 1H. In an exemplary embodiment strap elements 260 are typically made in a long, thin, rectangular shape, allowing them to be used as a lightweight carrying handle and/or other attachment uses such as for shortening the lower portion of the garment 110 by attaching snaps 253 and 265 (or by connecting other snaps or attachment mechanisms not shown).

Garment embodiment 200 may include a lower pocket or pouch 250, which may be same or similar to pocket 150 of garment embodiment 100. As shown in FIG. 2A, pocket 250 opens to the back side (as illustrated by dashed lines) and can be folded around such as shown in FIG. 1A to also be open on a user's front side. However, in other embodiments pocket 250 may be opened to the front and/or in other configurations such as by side or bottom opening in alternate applications.

Garment embodiment 200 may include a neck collar, such as neck collar 280 as shown in FIG. 2A. Collar 280 may, in some embodiments, be sized to be loose around a user's neck in typical applications, or alternately may be tight in other applications. The size of the collar 280 may also vary depending on the application. For example, in some embodiments the collar may be short such as shown in FIG. 2A and loosely fitting, whereas in other embodiments the collar may be tall to fit around part or all of the neck of a user. Collar configured to fit around some or all of a user's neck (not shown) may be made from a fully or partially rigid material to support a user's neck and/or maintain a user's neck and/or head in a particular position for comfort and/or medical treatment.

Other embodiments may include an optional hood, such as hood 290 as shown in FIG. 2A. The hood may be either fixed to the body core element, detachably removable, such as with zippers, snaps, buttons, Velcro straps, and the like. The hood may be attached or attachable to the shoulder areas in typically embodiments so that the back may be allowed to be closed or opened as shown in FIG. 2B with snaps 213, buttons, zippers, Velcro, and the like. In some embodiments the hood may be detached or detachable from the back such as to upper attachment flaps 212 (not shown). The hood may include one or more ports or openings, such as ports 292 as shown in FIG. 2B, in addition to the generally large opening for a user's face on the front side of hood 290. The hood may include mask elements or other partial head or face coverings, such as protective medical N95 or other grades of masks (not shown), tubing, or other apparatus in alternate embodiments which may be integral with or detachable from the hood and/or core element 210.

FIG. 2B illustrates additional details of the back side of garment embodiment 200, including body core element 210, arm elements 220, lower pouch or pocket 250, straps 260, and hood 290. Additional elements as shown in FIG. 2B include “dignity” flaps 215, which are shaped to define an open area 214 to allow a user's back to be open and accessible for treatment or comfort reasons, as well as upper attachment flaps 212 to allow the garment embodiment 200 to be secured around the upper back below the neck. Upper attachment flaps 212 may be attached together by various attachment mechanisms such as snaps 313 as shown in FIG. 3B, buttons, zippers, Velcro straps, or other attachment mechanisms. In alternate embodiments, the size and shape of open area 314 may vary, and in some embodiment may be omitted, with attachment of fabric on the left and right sides of the body core element 310 being either open or attachable with a zipper, buttons, Velcro, snaps, or other attachment mechanisms (not shown in FIG. 2B). Garment embodiment 200 may include straps 260 and buttons or other attachment mechanisms, such as snaps 261 and 265, which may be similar to corresponding snaps 161 and 165, to stow or carry the garment when folded. Additional snaps, such as snaps 253, may be included to shorten the lower section of garment 100 by attaching snaps 253 and 265 together.

As shown in FIG. 2B, in an exemplary embodiment the dignity flaps 215 and upper attachment flaps 212 are shaped and sized to provide a substantially triangular shaped back opening 214. However, in other embodiment the dignity flaps 215 and/or upper flaps may be shaped and sized to omit the opening 214 or provide an opening 214 having other shapes such as circular, oval, rectangular, or other shapes. These other shapes may be selected based on a particular medical treatment or condition or for comfort or other reasons.

FIG. 3A illustrates details of one embodiment of “utility” cuffs 326 attached the lower portion of an arm element 320. Arm element 320 may be the same as or similar to arm elements 120 and 220 described previously herein, and cuff embodiments 326 may conversely be used in garment embodiments with arm embodiments 120 or 220 as described previously herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, cuffs 326 may include one or more holes or openings, such as hole 327 as shown in FIG. 3A to allow a user to position his or her thumbs and/or fingers through the hole(s) such as shown in FIG. 3B where a user has his left thumb through opening 327 on the left arm element and has the right hand extended entirely outside of the cuff. As used herein, the term “utility cuffs” refers to cuffs that include one or more openings or ports such as opening 327.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded view of various elements of a medical garment 400, which may be the same as or similar to the medical garment embodiments and/or their elements described previously herein. Garment embodiment 400 includes a body core element 410, two arm elements 420, pockets 430 and 440, rear pocket (shown as being on the back by the dashed lines) 450, straps 460, a collar 480, as well as trim elements used with the pockets as described subsequently herein.

FIG. 4B illustrates the back side of garment 400 including the additional elements of dignity panels 415 and upper attachment flaps 412.

FIG. 4C illustrates additional details of the garment embodiment 400 including trim elements 433 used with pocket 430, trim elements 443 used with kangaroo pocket 440, trip element 457 used with lower pocket 450, and neck trim 411. FIG. 4C also illustrates snaps 461 and 465 on strap element 460. As described previously herein, snaps 461 and 465 may be coupled to form strap elements 460 into a carrying handle for hanging or transporting garment 400.

FIG. 4D illustrates an example shape of a dignity panel 415 as well as optional trip 417 that may be used with dignity panels 415 (and/or with other embodiments described herein).

FIG. 4E illustrates an example shape of a lower pocket embodiment 450 as well as optional trim 453 that may be used with lower pocket 450 (and/or with other embodiments described herein).

FIG. 4F illustrates an example shape of a breast or utility pocket embodiment 420 as well as optional trim 423 that may be used with pocket 420 (and/or with other embodiments described herein).

FIG. 4G illustrates an example shape of a kangaroo pocket embodiment 440 as well as optional trim 443 that may be used with pocket 440 (and/or with other embodiments described herein).

The various trim elements shown in FIGS. 4A-4G may be any of the trim described herein in various embodiments, such as elastic trim materials, bias tape, ribbon, nylon or polyester trim materials, cotton trip materials, fabrics such as are used for the core or other elements, and/or other trim materials as known or developed in the art.

FIG. 4H illustrates an example shape of an arm element embodiment 420 and cuff embodiment 426. Additional trip (not shown) may also be used with various arm element embodiments around arm element edges, included ports, decorative features, and the like.

It is noted that various details as shown in the various embodiments herein may be included in additional embodiments in keeping with the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and the various embodiments described herein are not intended to be exclusive or limiting in any way.

other embodiments and modifications of this disclosure may occur readily to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. Therefore, the presently claimed invention is to be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents, which include all such embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specification and accompanying drawings.

The scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the specification and drawings, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. A phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; and a, b and c.

The previous description of the disclosed aspects and features is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the presently claimed invention is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and their equivalents. 

We claim:
 1. A medical garment, comprising: a fabric body core element having a front side and a back side; two fabric arm elements, each attached at a proximal end to an upper area of the body core element on the left and right sides; two fabric dignity panels attached to sides of the body core element to extend partially across the back side of the core section so as to at least partially cover a user's back when worn; and a fabric lower pocket attached to the back side of the body core element at a lower section of the core element.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein one or more the fabric body core element, the fabric dignity panels, the fabric lower panel, and the fabric arm elements comprise a fleece fabric.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein each of the fabric body core element, the fabric dignity panels, the fabric lower panel, and the fabric arm elements comprise a fleece fabric.
 4. The garment of claim 1, further including one or two flexible cuffs attached to the fabric arm elements at the distal end of the fabric arm elements.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the two cuffs are utility cuffs including one or more openings for insertion of a user's thumb or fingers therethrough.
 6. The garment of claim 1, further including a breast pocket attached to the fabric body core element on the front side.
 7. The garment of claim 1, further including a kangaroo pocket attached to the fabric body core element on the front side.
 8. The garment of claim 1, further including two strap elements attached at their proximal ends to the fabric body core element on opposite sides, wherein each strap includes a first snap attached at or near the distal end.
 9. The garment of claim 8, wherein each of the two strap elements further includes a second snap attached at or near the proximal end, wherein the first snaps are attachable and detachable to corresponding second snaps to form a carrying handle.
 10. The garment of claim 1, further including two snaps on the body core element at the top of the body core element to receive corresponding snaps of an accessory element.
 11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the accessory element is an accessory bib/pocket assembly.
 12. The garment of claim 1, further including a hood element configured to be removably detachable from the body core element.
 13. The garment of claim 1, further including one or more ports in the body core element.
 14. The garment of claim 1, further including one or more ports in the arm elements.
 15. A medical garment, comprising: a fleece fabric body core element having a front side and a back side; two fleece fabric arm elements, each attached at a proximal end to an upper area of the body core element on the left and right sides; two flexible cuffs attached to distal ends of the fabric arm elements, each of the two cuffs including an opening sized and place to allow a user's thumb to pass therethrough; two fleece fabric dignity panels attached to sides of the body core element to extend partially across the back side of the core section so as to at least partially cover a user's back when worn; a fleece fabric breast pocket attached to the body core element in the upper right area of the body core element; a fleece kangaroo pocket attached to the body core element in the midsection of the body core element; a fleece fabric lower pocket attached to the back side of the body core element at a lower section of the core element; and two straps attached to the body core element at the proximal end, each strap including a first snap at the distal end and a second snap at the proximal end.
 16. The garment of claim 15, further including one or more ports in the arm elements.
 17. The garment of claim 16, further including one or more ports in the body core element. 